SEA has released the first in a series of infographics illustrating the growing pay overlap among the federal government’s managerial and executive corps.

Washington, D.C. As the ongoing debate over federal salaries and awards continues, it has become increasingly apparent that there is little understanding, and often some misunderstanding, of the various federal pay systems, especially that governing the Senior Executive Service (SES). Further, some misinformation is being used to underpin calls for change. In order to set the record straight, the Senior Executives Association (SEA) is getting back to basics, starting with SES pay, through a series of infographics aimed at illustrating how the system really works.

For over a decade, SEA has sounded alarms about the growing pay overlap among the federal government's managerial and executive corps. This overlap presents an impediment to attracting top level talent into the government's career executive corps. As of 2012, approximately 25% of Senior Executives earned below $160,000, a salary level below that of some senior managers under the General Schedule (GS-14s and 15s), including former National Security Personnel System (NSPS) employees. Statutory changes approved by Congress have allowed pay compression to exacerbate, as General Schedule employees continue to receive locality pay in addition to other market based adjustments, whereas Senior Executives do not receive these adjustments. To demonstrate, SEA has developed the attached infographic depicting pay overlap and the effect on salary of the SES pay cap implemented in 2004.

Additionally, the figures of federal government managers and Senior Executives are juxtaposed with the federal contractor executive salary cap, which is set to rise to $950,000 this year. This contractor executive cap is benchmarked against compensation figures for large private sector companies with over $50 million in annual sales. With nearly 70% of Senior Executives managing programs with budgets in excess of $50 million, SEA believes that it is time that Congress address the two-fold pay disparity which discourages managers from entering the executive corps for financial purposes, among other reasons, while also incentivizing the federal government's top executives to take their talents, skills, and knowledge of government operations to private industry where they can earn in excess of five times their federal salaries.

The Senior Executives Association (SEA) is a professional association representing Senior Executive Service members and other career federal executives. Founded in 1980, SEA's goals are: to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and productivity of the federal government; to advance the professionalism and advocate the interests of career federal executives; and to enhance public recognition of their contributions. The SEA Professional Development League (PDL) is a nonprofit educational organization committed to advancing the professionalism of career federal executives through the sponsorship of training, recognition, and research activities.

The Senior Executives Association (SEA) is the professional association for career members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and equivalent positions. SEA also represents aspiring leaders (GS-12 to GS-15s) who are part of SEA’s leadership pipeline program.

SEA is not only the voice of career leaders through a strong advocacy program, it empowers senior leaders across government by providing the tools, resources and connections they need to succeed in the 21st Century.

SEA members receive access to research and news, strategic networks, and connections to the good practices across government that they may not receive on the job.

Above all else, SEA is guided by dedication to public service and to helping career Federal leaders better serve the American people. Through membership, SEA members are part of the movement to transform government for the 21st Century and to empower senior leaders to drive change.

What you get

Through strategic connections, insight into cutting-edge practices and resources, career advancement tools, and thought leadership, SEA helps its members build a “Leadership Profession” within the federal government to ensure that the experience of senior career leaders is used in new ways to promote a stronger and more effective government.

SEA membership options are available to career SES and equivalent positions, retired SES and aspiring leaders (GS-12 through GS-15). Click below for information about eligibility and membership categories.